BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA
203 COOPER AVENUE NORTH NO 162, ST CLOUD, MN 56303 www.bbbscentralmn.org

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Organizations Filed Purposes: OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE CHILDREN FACING ADVERSITY WITH STRONG AND ENDURING, PROFESSIONALLY SUPPORTED 1-TO-1 RELATIONSHIPS THAT CHANGE THEIR LIVES FOR THE BETTER, FOREVER.

TO CREATE AND SUPPORT ONE-TO-ONE MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS THAT IGNITE THE POWER AND PROMISE OF YOUTH.

WE SERVE YOUTH RESIDING IN FIVE CENTRAL MINNESOTA COUNTIES: STEARNS, BENTON, SHERBURNE, MORRISON, AND WRIGHT. WE PROVIDE SERVICE TO OVER 500 CHILDREN EACH YEAR AND TARGET THOSE THAT NEED US MOST INCLUDING THOSE LIVING IN SINGLE PARENT HOMES, GROWING UP IN POVERTY, AND COPING WITH PARENTAL INCARCERATION. IN ADDITION, MANY OF THE CHILDREN IN OUR PROGRAM HAVE A DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY, MENTAL HEALTH DIAGNOSIS, AND/OR STRUGGLE ACADEMICALLY OR SOCIALLY.THE BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS YOUTH OUTCOMES SUMMARY SUBSTANTIATES THAT ITS MENTORING PROGRAMS HAVE PROVEN POSITIVE ACADEMIC, SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL OUTCOMES FOR YOUTH, AND IS LINKED TO LONG-TERM OUTCOMES SUCH AS HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION, AVOIDANCE OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY, AND COLLEGE OR JOB READINESS.IN ADDITION TO THE LIFE-CHANGING MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS OUR TEAM DEVELOPS, EACH YEAR OUR AGENCY OFFERS OVER 40 EDUCATIONAL AND ENRICHING ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTH THAT INCORPORATE COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS, ARTS & CULTURE, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND HEALTH & FITNESS.THE CHILDREN SERVED BY OUR PROGRAM COME FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS AND FACE UNIQUE CHALLENGES. PRESENTLY, 68% OF THE CHILDREN WE SERVE ARE FROM HOUSEHOLDS AT OR BELOW 200% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES. IN ADDITION, 60% OF OUR SERVICE POPULATION IS LIVING IN A SINGLE PARENT/GUARDIAN HOUSEHOLD, 36% OF THE CHILDREN WE SERVE HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH DIAGNOSIS OR CONCERN, 25% OF THE YOUTH-SERVED BY OUR PROGRAM HAVE EXPERIENCED PARENTAL INCARCERATION, AND 24% OF OUR SERVICE POPULATION IS ETHNICALLY DIVERSE.AT-RISK YOUTH, LEFT UNSUPPORTED, HAVE DECREASED ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, POOR ATTENDANCE, DECREASED MOTIVATION AND SELF-ESTEEM, DECREASED SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT, INCREASED PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS, AND ARE MORE LIKELY TO DROP OUT OF SCHOOL. WITHOUT IMMEDIATE GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT, THEY COULD MAKE CHOICES THAT UNDERMINE THEIR FUTURES, AND, ULTIMATELY, THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL WELL-BEING OF OUR COMMUNITY. (SOURCE: AKOS, P. & GALASSI, J. GENDER AND RACE AS VARIABLES IN PSYCHOSOCIAL ADJUSTMENT TO MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL. JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH.)MENTORING HAS BEEN PROVEN TO BE INSTRUMENTAL IN CREATING RESILIENT YOUTH ABLE TO OVERCOME THESE OBSTACLES AND CHALLENGES. A CARING ADULT CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN A CHILD'S FUTURE. MENTORS SERVE AS ROLE MODELS, ADVOCATES, FRIENDS, AND ADVISERS. MENTORS HELP YOUNG PEOPLE IMPROVE THEIR SOCIAL SKILLS AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING, ADVANCE THEIR COGNITIVE SKILLS, AND PLAN FOR THE FUTURE.YOUTH THAT PARTICIPATE IN HIGH QUALITY MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS DEMONSTRATE THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS:-IMPROVED SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AND PERFORMANCE-INCREASED GRADUATION RATES-HIGHER LIFETIME EARNINGS-REDUCED TRUANCY-IMPROVED HEALTH OUTCOMES (REDUCTION IN TEEN PREGNANCY, ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE)-REDUCED JUVENILE CRIME-REDUCED ADULT CRIME-REDUCED NEED FOR SOCIAL SERVICES(SOURCE: WILDER RESEARCH AND UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, 2007)MENTORING IS PROVEN TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF POVERTY BY PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES TO CHILDREN THAT HELP THEM DEVELOP INTO COMMUNITY ASSETS RATHER THAN ABSORBING SOCIAL COSTS.SOCIAL RETURN ON INVESTMENT STUDIES CONDUCTED BY WILDER RESEARCH AND THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FOUND QUALITY MENTORING PROGRAMS TO HAVE A BENEFIT-COST RATIO OF $3.40 RESULTING FROM REDUCED TRUANCY/COURT COSTS, REDUCED HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUT RATES, AND IMPROVED HEALTH OUTCOMES. (*ADJUSTED FOR INFLATION IN 2018. SOURCE: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR)OUR PROGRAM PARTNERS (TEACHERS, COUNSELORS, SOCIAL WORKERS, COUNTY WORKERS, AND OTHER YOUTH-SERVING ORGANIZATIONS) HELP TO ENSURE THAT WE RECEIVE REFERRALS FOR THE CHILDREN WHO NEED OUR SERVICES MOST. WE RECEIVE REFERRALS FOR CHILDREN NEARLY EVERY DAY. WE CURRENTLY HAVE 113 VULNERABLE YOUTH ON OUR WAITING LIST.BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA OFFERS THREE DISTINCT PROGRAM OPTIONS:1) COMMUNITY-BASED MENTORING: CHILDREN ARE MATCHED WITH A BIG BROTHER, BIG SISTER, BIG COUPLE OR BIG FAMILY AND MEET WITH THEM 2-4 TIMES A MONTH, FOR 2-4 HOURS, IN THE COMMUNITY.2) SCHOOL-BASED MENTORING: CHILDREN MEET WITH THEIR MENTOR ON SCHOOL GROUNDS 2-4 TIMES A MONTH, FOR 2-4 HOURS. THE SCHOOL SETTING IS A GREAT PLACE TO HELP A CHILD REALIZE THEIR POTENTIAL AND IS A CONVENIENT MEETING PLACE FOR CHILDREN AND VOLUNTEERS.3) SITE-BASED MENTORING: THIS PROGRAM TARGETS SCHOOL-AGE YOUTH FACING ADVERSITY THAT RESIDE IN A SPECIFIC COMMUNITY OR NEIGHBORHOOD. CHILDREN MEET WITH THEIR MENTOR 2-4 TIMES EACH MONTH, FOR 2-4 HOURS, AT A CENTRAL AND PUBLIC LOCATION WITHIN THAT COMMUNITY/NEIGHBORHOOD. THIS PROGRAM ALLOWS CHILDREN TO INTERACT WITH THEIR "BIG" AT A FACILITY THAT IS CLOSE TO HOME, SAFE, AND FAMILIAR.THE COST OF MAKING AND SUPPORTING A MATCH BETWEEN A YOUTH AND A MENTOR IS $1,500 PER YEAR. BEHIND EVERY SUCCESSFUL MATCH IS VITAL SUPPORT: SCREENING, BACKGROUND CHECKS, TRAINING, ONGOING COMMUNICATION, ENCOURAGEMENT, AND GUIDANCE PROVIDED BY PROFESSIONAL STAFF DEDICATED TO FOSTERING THE BEST RELATIONSHIPS POSSIBLE FOR CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND VOLUNTEERS. WE DO NOT CHARGE A FEE TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR PROGRAM AND WE DO NOT ASK PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS TO FUND-RAISE.CHILD SAFETY IS OUR GREATEST PRIORITY. OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF HAVE 4-YEAR DEGREES IN THE FIELD OF SOCIAL SERVICES. OUR EXTENSIVE VOLUNTEER SCREENING PROCESS, WHICH INCLUDES AN IN-PERSON INTERVIEW, REFERENCE CHECKS, AND BACKGROUND CHECKS, ENSURES SAFE AND COMPATIBLE MATCHES FOR THE CHILDREN WE SERVE.EACH MATCH IS ASSIGNED TO A PROGRAM COORDINATOR WHO PROVIDES ADVICE, GUIDANCE, AND ENCOURAGEMENT THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF THE RELATIONSHIP. EACH MONTH, OUR PROGRAM COORDINATORS COMMUNICATE WITH EVERY CHILD, MENTOR, AND PARENT/GUARDIAN ON THEIR CASELOAD TO ENSURE CHILD SAFETY AND MATCH EFFECTIVENESS.IN ADDITION TO THE NUMEROUS BENEFITS PROVIDED THROUGH MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS, EACH YEAR OUR AGENCY OFFERS OVER 40 EDUCATIONAL AND ENRICHING ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTH THAT INCORPORATE COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS, ARTS & CULTURE, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, HEALTH, AND FITNESS.OUR PROGRAM COORDINATORS ALSO EQUIP OUR MENTORS WITH TRAINING, RESOURCES, AND TOOLS TO AID THEM IN ENCOURAGING THEIR LITTLE TO EXPLORE POST-SECONDARY OPTIONS, EXAMINE DIFFERENT CAREERS, AND SET GOALS FOR THE FUTURE. BY CREATING AWARENESS OF POST-SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND BY EDUCATING THE VULNERABLE YOUTH WE SERVE ABOUT COLLEGE PREPARATION AND THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO THEM, WE CAN BE INSTRUMENTAL IN BUILDING THEIR FUTURE AND THE FUTURE OF OUR COMMUNITY.DURING OUR LAST FISCAL YEAR, 395 YOUTH OVER THE AGE OF 12 PARTICIPATED IN OUR COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS ACTIVITIES, AND THROUGH OUR PARTNERSHIPS WITH GENEROUS CORPORATE SPONSORS, BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA WAS ABLE TO AWARD 12 EXCLUSIVE SCHOLARSHIPS TO YOUTH IN OUR PROGRAM, TOTALING $39,000. GENEROUS DONORS ALSO HELPED US PROVIDE 927 TICKETS TO OUR MENTORING MATCHES TO ATTEND THEATER PERFORMANCES, SPORTING EVENTS, AND OTHER SPECIAL OUTINGS.YOUTH-SERVED BY BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF CENTRAL MINNESOTA DURING THE LAST FISCAL YEAR (JULY 1, 2019-JUNE 30, 2020) EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING POSITIVE OUTCOMES:97% OF YOUTH IMPROVED THEIR SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE90% OF YOUTH IMPROVED THEIR ATTITUDES TOWARDS RISKY BEHAVIORS89% OF YOUTH IMPROVED THEIR EDUCATION EXPECTATIONS86% OF YOUTH IMPROVED THEIR SCHOLASTIC COMPETENCE83% OF YOUTH IMPROVED THEIR PARENTAL TRUST73% OF YOUTH IMPROVED THEIR GRADESBIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS IS THE OLDEST, LARGEST, AND MOST EFFECTIVE YOUTH MENTORING ORGANIZATION IN THE UNITED STATES. FOR OVER A CENTURY, BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS HAS BEEN HELPING CHANGE KIDS' PERSPECTIVES AND GIVING THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.BEING THE NATION'S LEADING MENTORING EXPERT, BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF AMERICA PROVIDES OUR LOCAL AGENCY WITH THE GUIDANCE AND RESOURCES NECESSARY TO PROVIDE SAFE, HIGH-QUALITY, AND EFFECTIVE MENTORING SERVICES.OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS COMPRISED OF 19 DEDICATED, COMMUNITY LEADERS.WE HAVE 14 PROFESSIONAL STAFF MEMBERS. OUR PROGRAM TEAM CONSISTS OF PROFESSIONAL DEGREES IN THE FIELD OF SOCIAL SERVICES (PSYCHOLOGY, SOCIAL WORK, CRIMINAL JUSTICE) WHO MAINTAIN CLOSE, CONSISTENT COMMUNICATION WITH THE CHILD, THE CHILD'S FAMILY, THE CHILD'S MENTOR, AND THE CHILD'S SCHOOL IN ORDER TO FOSTER THE WELL-BEING AND SUCCESS OF EACH CHILD WE SERVE. WE ALSO HAVE PROFESSIONAL STAFF IN BUSINESS, EDUCATION, AND FUNDRAISING.AS THE NATION'S LARGEST VOLUNTEER-SUPPORTED MENTORING NETWORK, WE TRULY VALUE THE TIME, ENERGY, AND EFFORT OUR SUPPORTERS INVEST.BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS WOULDN'T EXIST WITHOUT OUR VOLUNTEERS. WE HAVE OVER 1,000 VOLUNTEERS WHO EITHER SERVE AS MENTORS OR AS PROGRAM SUPPORT VOLUNTEERS BY SERVING AS COMMITTEE MEMBERS, OFFICE ASSISTANTS, AND/OR EVENT VOLUNTEERS.

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